As Durham County Council becomes the latest high-profile partner in The Northern Echo’s Level Up campaign, Amy Harhoff, Durham County Council’s director of regeneration, economy and growth, told us: “County Durham is one of the largest local authorities in the UK and the largest local authority in the North East, home to over 530,000 residents and more than 14,000 businesses employing 183,000 people.

"Each year, the county attracts more than 20 million tourists and has major capability in advanced manufacturing, logistics and fitech, along with strong connectivity via the East Coast Main Line and A1.

“However, the county is also home to areas with high levels of deprivation and unemployment, with a sizeable portion of residents working lower skilled and lower paid jobs. We have a large amount of people with work-limiting health conditions, and the number of children living in households who need support from out of work benefits is higher than the UK average.

“The government has identified our county as an area of greatest need in the UK and a priority for levelling up, so it is important that we leverage as much funding into the county as we can, so that we can support our residents by creating opportunities for development, allow access to higher paid and skilled jobs, and a better quality of living. 

“Inclusivity is a key priority for the council, and our communities, businesses and residents are the focus of our economic strategy, which will come forward in December 2021. Our plan is the county’s plan, and aims to be inclusive in development, design and implementation for our county.

“Working with key partners and linking to our County Durham Vision 2035, our Inclusive Economic Strategy seeks to enable community and business aspiration by supporting people into education and training to increase opportunities to secure skilled jobs and excel in business and their careers. It will also support more inclusive opportunities for innovation and economic growth with higher levels of productivity, so people and businesses can thrive.”

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships: “We are committed to working in partnership with our communities to achieve the very best outcomes for our towns and villages. We are working with local members and MPs to identify community priorities and ensure all constituency areas in the county get equal opportunities to benefit from the Levelling Up funding.  

“We will also be working with regional partners to explore the possibility of cross boundary transport proposals to benefit residents and businesses across the county by improved connectivity and infrastructure.

Read more: Durham City Incubator backs eight amazing start-ups

“The Inclusive Economic Strategy will build on an existing investment plan, which includes the expansion of NETPark, strategic development at Aykley Heads, transport investment including Toft Hill Bypass, over £50m secured for Bishop Auckland, our Council Homes programme, and extensive leisure transformation. This strategy, partnered with the securement of funding from the Levelling Up campaign, enables us to support future inclusive economic growth.

“We’re delighted to join The Northern Echo’s campaign and work with partners in levelling up the region. This campaign is an example of how we can work together to identify community priorities and ensure all areas of the county get the best possible opportunity to benefit.”

 

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